Efficient Roommates

The academy dormitory was beautiful in the way that places built to impress people are beautiful: all proportion and no warmth.

Mira's assigned room was on the east wing, fourth floor. Her two roommates were Yenna Fairhollow — minor nobility, water affinity, visibly horrified by Mira's presence — and Sable of House Korrath — major nobility, fire and shadow dual affinity, seemingly unbothered by anything.

"Commoner," Yenna said when Mira arrived with her single bag.

"Noble," Mira said cheerfully.

Sable did not look up from her book. "There's a study schedule on the desk. Classes begin at dawn. If you're late on the first day they make you do the Spire run again."

Mira looked at the study schedule. It was dense.

"How do you know I'll be late?" she asked.

"I don't. I'm informing you because being late would reflect badly on this room and I have no interest in the Spire run." Sable turned a page. "We are not going to be friends. We are going to be efficient roommates. This is better."

Mira considered this. "I can work with efficient."